What is a Midwife?

Hibiscus Women’s Care Certified Nurse Midwives

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses who have earned a Master’s Degree in addition to their undergraduate nursing degree. Graduate nurse-midwifery education programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). Candidates must pass a national certification examination to receive the professional designation of certified nurse-midwife and must follow rigorous protocols and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their certification. There are other categories of midwives practicing in the State of Florida, including “licensed midwives” who have training in midwifery but are not registered nurses, and “lay midwives” who learn midwifery by serving as an apprentice alongside practicing midwives.

Our certified nurse midwives collaborate with our board-certified physicians to provide patients with comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment. In addition, they may conduct physical examinations; prescribe medications including contraceptive methods; admit, manage and discharge patients; order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests and order the use of medical devices.

Hibiscus Women’s Care CNMs provide a full range of primary health care services for women of all ages including gynecologic and family planning services, preconception care, care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, care of the normal newborn, and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Our nurse midwives do not attend home births. They provide care for in-hospital births at Holmes Regional Medical Center in the Birth Suites under the supervision of practice physicians, Dr. Perry and Dr. Escobar. The physicians of “Pediatrix Medical Group” cover our CNMs 24-7 when the practice physicians are not available.

Patient Portal

We use the AthenaHealth electronic medical record system. Patients may schedule appointments, retrieve summaries of visits, enter health info, request prescriptions, get info on health topics, and more.